VIDEO: Meet The Voices Behind Disney’s “The Jungle Book”

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

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Check out this brand new “Voices of the Jungle” featurette showcasing THE JUNGLE BOOK cast, including Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong’o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito, Neel Sethi, Christopher Walken and director Jon Favreau.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McZyOEekZy4&feature=youtu.be

Directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johansson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire. The all-star cast also includes Lupita Nyong’o as the voice of the fiercely protective mother wolf Raksha, and Giancarlo Esposito as the voice of wolf pack’s alpha male Akela. “The Jungle Book” seamlessly blends live-action with photorealistic CGI animals and environments, using up-to-the-minute technology and storytelling techniques to immerse audiences in an enchanting and lush world. The wild adventure swings into theaters in 3D on April 15, 2016.

REVIEW: Pizzafari at Animal Kingdom Surprisingly Raises Expectations for Counter Service Pizza

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

I had been hearing good things about Pizzafari at Animal Kingdom since they had reopened from a lengthy refurbishment a few weeks ago. Someone had told me that the pizzas were different now, not the practically inedible, circular, heartburn-inducing death-discs that they had been at WDW counter service restaurants since the dawn of recorded time. I had to see this for myself…

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The menu still has pizzas, but quite a bit has changed

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The pizza prep process was completely revamped, with the pies being made fresh rather than prepackaged pizzas that were simply heated

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I decided to start with the garlic knots. These were pretty good. Better than I expected at least and the marinara dipping sauce was a good accompaniment. You actually get a rather large serving for $6.99, whcihc really puts some Epcot festival offerings to shame as far as value.

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The shrimp flatbread was our favorite item of the day. I couldn’t believe this was a counter service item. It tasted very fresh and was a nice lighter option compared to heavy with cheese pizzas. All of the pizzas also came with a small cup of antipasto salad.

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I got the meat lover’s pizza. Again, I was shocked how good this was. It’s not going to change your life, but it is a million times better than the previous incarnation. Pretty much tasted like Pizza Hut, which I still think is a vast improvement over what it used to be.

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When I saw a counter service restaurant had tiramisu, I had to try it. Again, it was really solid. The only issue we had was that the cake layer was a little frozen, but otherwise it tasted good. I would equate my shock level to the first time I had counter service cheesecake at Disney World: this shouldn’t be good, but it is.

Overall, I was thoroughly impressed by my experience at Pizzafari. This is possibly the best counter service pizza at a theme park that I have ever had (including the often overrated Red Oven at Universal Orlando). Being from New York, I am extremely harsh on fast food Italian offerings, but this is such an improvement over what came before that even I was won over. I’m praying that this kind of menu is what we see when Pizza Planet returns as a new restaurant at Hollywood Studios later this year, because it is honestly what it should be. Is this the best counter service at Animal Kingdom now? No, but now it’s a viable option at least.

PHOTOS: Walls Come Down Revealing Completed Rivers of Light Viewing Area to Guests Today

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

The Rivers of Light show may be behind schedule, but the new viewing area for the nighttime spectacular is out from behind construction walls and the details that can now be found just across the path from Expedition Everest are among the best ever seen in any Disney theme park:

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On the Asia side, guests using FastPass+ to see the show will be greeted by this gateway

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A second Asia FastPass+ entrance is just as intricate

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The details are what you would expect from Animal Kingdom

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Even the FastPass+ scanners are gorgeous, featuring flowers that are a nod to floats seen in the show

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The section just outside of the Theater in the Wild is not as intricate

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Photos by WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen

Meet The Newest Actor To Play “Darth Vader” In “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

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Back in 2012 when Disney purchased Lucasfilm and Star Wars from George Lucas for $4 billion, it was obvious that Disney was going to find a way to bring back the face of the Star Wars franchise. Even though Disney and Lucasfilm are doing their best to keep it under wraps, Darth Vader will be making his return in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”.

Now according to Flickering Myth, we have a face and a name to go with the actor who will portray The Dark Lord Of The Sith in the upcoming Prequel to “Star Wars: A New Hope.” His name is Spencer Wilding and he is mostly a stunt actor but he will seem a little familiar to you if you saw “Guardians Of The Galaxy” (see below).

Dueling Darths: David Prowse and Spencer Wilding

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Wilding is 6 feet 7 inches and 43 years old, and to me, this is what I always imagined Anakin Skywalker looking like. Kind of like a young David Prowse, the original actor to play Darth Vader under the costume.

From Flickering Myth:

It was reported last year that the Sith Lord would feature in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and that Hayden Christensen would be reprising the role for the movie. We teased last month that the rumour was correct, but Christensen would not be playing the part. That’s because our sources are telling us that in fact British actor Spencer Wilding has been cast to play the body of Darth Vader in Rogue One.

Our source also confirms that Wilding has been running lines while on set, so Darth Vader will have a speaking role in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. However he will likely be dubbed by James Earl Jones just as David Prowse was when he played Vader in the Original Trilogy. We sadly don’t have confirmation that Jones will be coming back to reprise his role, but it seems rather likely (Making Star Wars were very sure though, and they’re a good source to trust).

Don’t be surprised to see a glimpse of Darth Vader in the next trailer for “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”.

Spencer Wilding in “Guardians Of The Galaxy”

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Source: Flickering Myth

VIDEO: Demolition Ramps Up as Guests Get First In-Park Glimpse at Star Wars Land in Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

Demolition is happening and fast at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s no secret that Disney wants to complete both Toy Story Land and the Star Wars themed land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as quickly as possible, and in just one week they have leveled whatever was left of the Premier Theater. Meanwhile, the first signage showing guests Star Wars land concept art has gone up in the park:

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Last week’s update shows the Premier Theater still standing on one side, but also the latest progress on Pizza Planet and Toy Story Land on the other side of the park:

PHOTO REPORT: Animal Kingdom 4/12/16 (Tiffins, Rivers of Light, Preferred Parking, ETC.)

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

I made a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom over the weekend and took some newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting in the park:

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A lot of guests are actually paying the $15 up-charge for Premium Parking at Animal Kingdom

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Meanwhile, the non-Disney/charter bus stop is finally nearing completion

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What we believe to be a restroom facility for Pandora: The world of AVATAR visible just over the walls at the front of the park

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Work continues on Tiffins and the Nomad Lounge

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Barges carrying construction vehicles still out on the water for Rivers of Light as work on the show continues

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The viewing area is ready, but the show is not

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At Expedition Everest, the screens in the queue have been uncovered again

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Not sure when, but these should start interacting with guests soon

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A look towards Pandora from the heights of Everest

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Out by Flame Tree BBQ, guests can find speakers for Rivers of Light that haven’t quite been installed yet

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New rockwork hides speakers and lighting for the show

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In addition to dog tags and magnets, guests can now own pins of these faux Star Wars attraction posters

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The new poacher props on Kilimijaro Safaris are now being mentioned by drivers, stating that poachers had been caught on the reserve

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The preferred parking section was still pretty full by the time we had left

VIDEO: Three Clips Released For “Captain America: Civil War”

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

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Three new clips have been released for “Captain America: Civil War.”

The first clip shows Team Cap in action taking down a bunch of baddies:

This next clip explains what causes the friction between Team Cap and Team Iron Man. Check out The Vision in his casual duds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BQnCIR_deQ&nohtml5=False

This last clip shows Scott Lang (Ant-Man) being introduced to Team Cap for the first time:

Source: MTV, JoBlo, Movieclips Coming Soon

BREAKING: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios to Add Themed Bar Inside

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

It’s no secret that Disney’s Hollywood Studios is pretty short on attractions right now, but they are also in serious need of some new food and beverage services as well given the loss of many dining establishments in the Backlot section of the park. To better serve guests, they are going to be adding a themed bar/lounge at the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction.

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Now, before you get too excited, the bar is not located on the beautiful balcony and it is not the infamous Tip Top Club from the attraction storyline either, but rumor has it that the bar will offer Hollywood Tower Hotel themed beverages.

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The bar will be located where this desk was at the ride’s exit

The bar will be located at the exit of the attraction, across from the PhotoPass area, just before you enter the Tower Hotel Gifts store. There is now word yet on if there will be seating, but the bar will be installed very quickly starting immediately.

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (4/13/16): Return of The Match Game, Guest Interview, and a Hot Dog in a Baked Potato

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, the Match Game returns, we interview a Disney author, and Tom talks about a hot dog wrapped in a baked potato…

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WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, former hosts of WDW News Today: The Radio Show, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents.

If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside the Orlando area, the show can be heard (and now watched via video stream) at Listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. The show also utilizes new interactive avenues for our audience, including a live chat, the ability to call-in to the show, and live polling.

The show will also be available for streaming and download the very next day at WDWNewsTonight.com. While this won’t offer the interactive features and excitement of listening live, it offers those who can’t catch the show on Wednesday night a chance be a part of the fun.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • “What did we just eat?” – A Disney dining review featuring a hot dog inside of a baked potato at the Grand Floridian
  • “Tom and Nick are Angry About Things”
  • Interview with author of “Cleaning the Kingdom”, Lynn Barron
  • The long-awaited return of WDWNT: The Match Game for prizes from Theme Park Connection!
  • And much more!

We hope that you will tune in this Wednesday at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed last week’s show, you can watch it here:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x94CbF8ekyk]